D. E. S.

It’s funny how things work. In the last few weeks, I’ve been sharing meals with different friends and they all have picked up on something with me. Each has said something to the effect, “You don’t seem to be driven by making money like you used to be.”

Guilty as charged.

Which may seem strange to you, coming from a prosperity expert. But it’s actually quite congruent. Because as your prosperity consciousness evolves, your definition of prosperity does as well.

I spent so many years broke, that initially, prosperity was about being able to pay my bills. After that, I started collecting cars and things, more out of fear of loss. Then it evolved to living better. And if you are a subscriber to my virtual seminars, you know we explored this subject deeply in the program on cosmic consciousness.

As you develop, you make the transmutation from self-consciousness into cosmic consciousness. You still do things for the joy they bring you, but often that joy comes from service and contribution. It becomes more about meaning.

Don’t get me wrong: I still love fine clothes, sports cars, and living rich. I’m not turning into an ascetic. In fact, I just saw a $330,000 Hublot watch this weekend that really needs to be in my collection! And – I don’t need money to appreciate the sunrise or sunset, a spring shower, a warm embrace, a card from a loved one, or to commit a random act of kindness.

Most of you know, one of my goals is to become a billionaire. It still is. But a fascinating transformation took place a few months ago…

I was watching a BBC report on the famine in Somalia. There, 58% of the kids are malnourished. The government is non-existent and fighting prevents many aid organizations from providing help. The UN is suggesting that 750,000 people could die. Watching the mothers trekking towards refugee camps, carrying malnourished babies, suddenly my goal changed.

I still want to be a billionaire. For one day. And then lose the status the very next day, by helping those kids in Africa.

We are living in the greatest time in human history. We have more blessings than ever before. And more opportunities to be a blessing.

Maybe you’ve noticed the tone in my recent posts about Play Big,Steve Jobs, and Dan Wheldon. I have a new and powerful philosophy that I live my live by. It’s simple yet profound. It’s deep and calls me to action. It’s strong, and the language may be offensive to some. But it is my philosophy, and I invite you to make it yours:

Do Epic Shit.

Please. Stop playing small. Does it really matter that the guy got the parking space 10 feet closer to the door than you? That the lady in front of you has 11 items in the ten-item lane, or Sally has a cubicle six inches wider than yours?

That family member you’re estranged from, is it really going to seem worth it when their funeral comes around? That person you’re not talking to because they offended you – was it really that important? That goal you’re shooting for right now – will it really make a difference in the world?

When you day comes – the way it did for Steve Jobs, Dan Wheldon and will come for all of us – what will you be remembered for?

Drives me crazy when a pro athlete dies and the newscasters report their lifetime stats. Really?

How were they as a parent and a spouse, what did they do with their foundation, how did they inspire others? That’s the epic stuff I want to know about.

Please: Don’t leave us with your book unwritten, your song not sung, or your dance not danced.

Dear Randy, you have come a long way baby...just had to say this. ..you have been a favorite to me for many years..to me you keep getting better & better. Just had to say all of this too..

I do love your philosophy. Everyone is capable to Do Epic S___! Living in the moment is tugging at the heartstrings..go for it......don't hold back..love thy neighbor, help others as much as you can & more, be the best your can be, work it...see the goodness, recognize the divinity, what ever is calling you is yours so just do it..make it happen and do what ever it takes. Do you smile at the end of the day, are you feeling good, are you concentrating on the goodness or the negative however small..recognize & being conscious is where the great action is.

Thanks for the post Randy. i appreciate the (not so) subtle reminder to live life in a big way! Interesting and timely topic on helping people and children in Africa. My wife and I have a strong bond (having volunteered) with a wonderful organization in Namibia called Harnas Wildlife Foundation (www.harnas.org). Harnas's mission is to rescue and rehabilitate injured/orphaned animals and promote a sustainable method for living with in harmony with the local villages. In addition, they have policy of employing as many people from the local community as possible, supporting the socio-economic growth and well being of the people and establishing community empowerment programs (including the education of the local children). Just thought I would share.

Great thoughts Randy! When my day comes it doesn't matter whether I'm remembered for what I've done. What matters is that whether I've done something things that have added value to others. This I believe is each of our purpose.

Hi Randy,since I live ever since more close to Africa than you guys from America, our TV channels and newspapers offer lots of info about Africa-projects.Still, after ages, there are very many blank spots left. Fresh water is great, schools are fine, medical support is fine, teachers for schools are fine, our "old" clothes and shoes are fine as well. But: who is watching afterwards? Who is coordinating all those little sub-projects and the bigger projects after they end or are they set-up to end anyways? Will they move onto another level? I doubt that. All this needs well coordinating. The up-grown kids need to work after school, they need streets, houses, small factories, small shops, water for the fields, they need to learn to live on their own, one day. Helping out isn´t working in the long run but it was a great beginning! If you start on that continent, pls. make sure, if your stage you want to enter there allows to, to get their potential growth developing. And try to make sure that "they" want professional support! Things should last.Maybe in one of the growing cities you are going to support to build-up there will be a Randy Gage Street, their largest main street maybe?! Who knows? Go for it!!--> good project idea! It´ll fulfil you.Have fun!

Randy you have always been charitable and giving, maybe to a fault even. What's new?

I thought lots about this post. I think what is new and epic is the setting aside of our egos and false selves, that want material things to be loveable and acceptable to others.

Our true selves that stand naked and wanting, are loveable just as they are. When we know this, we do the Epic Shit like loving ourselves enough to sacrafice others goodwill, for doing what is right for us, which means it is right for all.

There is nothing more courageous and satisfying than leaving our egos behind and doing what is right.

Also, generativity and altruism gives us the self fulfillment needed to mourn our own deaths. After that, doing Epic Shit isn't so scary. Well, it still might be a little scary....

Africa's long term solution to poverty is not in having billions of aid being poured into it.There are organisations that are addressing the situation at grassroots level, empowering the poor.In Zimbabwe Foundations for Farming are doing amazing work and their projects are being copied & taught round the world.They work in association with another amazing organisation called Anamed that originated in DR Congo.

Hi, Randy.I totally agree with the wisdom of D.E.S. :)Moreover, I've been waiting for the billionaire point of view since I became a fan of yours. That reason to become a billionaire really suits my heart best. Of course, one should first know how to love themselves, which you definitely do.

RandyAs a South African (where things are a lot better than places like Somalia) i applaud you for living this philosophy. Please just make sure when you give its to the right organizations. With all the bad of Africa people in power is more money hungry than any other place in the world. There is a movement of entitlement and unfortunately corruption from governments and officials is a plague that will take dekades to eradicate.

Thanks for sharing this post Randy. This is an awesome goal. I'm sure that through this, you'll gain more followers and one day reach your goal of being a Billionaire. Have a great one. With all my transactions, that I make money with, I'm actually going to donate 10% of what ever I make to a charity. I think that's a start. Regardless of whether or not I write a book, or Raffle stuff, 10%. That's my dedication.

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life’s betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain! I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty even when it’s not pretty, every day, and if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes!”

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after a night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away.

How about set up a Billion Dollar company that helps people in Africa out of poverty and make a profit. The company can be worth a Billion and have the capital invested in worthy projects providing service to those who are disadvantaged. E.g micro finance bank. telecom for helping business grow, training company that teaches prosperity, computers, a fresh water company.

After listening to you I thought that serving the world was the way to Billions. The more we serve the more we get in return. Not the more we serve the less we have.

What do you think? or has your philosophy on that changed? I would love to hear your thoughts on this!

Great post Randy.. But we expect the profound from you anyway :) It also reminds me of the amazing speech Mandela made when he was inaugurated. Am sure you're familiar with it too.

One of my favorite passages from it goes,".. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.."

I love your thinking on this. And you're correct, it doesn't have to be either or. The point I want to get across is the title has no meaning for me, other than to accomplish it, because that's a goal I set for myself. Other than that, it doesn't matter to me.